Chapter 9

Audrey pursed her lips into a frown, lowering her head. She turned and entered her own chamber looking every bit the proverbial dog with its tail between its legs. Nicholas had scolded her as if she was a child and she felt every bit the part.

She waited for that familiar voice deep inside her head to tell her she should be offended, and should have said so. The voice always spoke up at times like this, when she was feeling belittled. In past relationships she always found herself the submissive, not quite worthy to have an opinion or any rights of her own. It was something she had accepted long ago. On some level she knew it was foolish and untrue. And there was always the voice to remind her.

This time the reminding voice remained silent. With Nicholas it was different. He really was much more than her.

She closed the chamber door behind her then retreated into the bathing chamber.

The porcelain bath tub stood regally upon its lion paws but it no longer appealed to her. It seemed too massive now for her childish form. Its golden fixtures almost seemed to be offering her a condescending smile.

Audrey moved to the wash basin instead. She looked at her pale, dirt streaked face in the mirror. Her eyes were blood shot orbs squeezed between puffy lids. Her dark hair tangled and dotted with debris. Just when she felt tears were sure to come she began to laugh.

“He is right you know? You do need a bath.”  She chuckled to her reflection.

The reflection in the mirror afforded her a view of the gold stand on the opposite wall. On the top shelf luxurious towels had been placed there for her, along with a few other items.

She went to the tub turning the fixtures to begin filling the tub. Then she sat on the edge of the tub and inspected the stand while she waited. In addition to the towels several vials and dishes had been placed there as well. There was a vial of shampoo, and a handmade bar of soap, both offered the sweet scent of lavender and a touch of rosemary. A small dish contained rose petals and delicate purple flowers of lavender. A glass bottle sitting next to the dish contained fragrant oils of rose and geranium. Audrey smiled in delight and emptied the contents of the dish and the bottle into her bath water.

Even though the tub was massive it did not seem to Audrey it took long to fill it. Turning off the tap, she slipped out of her filthy clothes and slid into the steaming, fragrant water. She leaned back in the tub until she was total submerged, her dark hair fanning out through the water. She opened her eyes, watching the flower petals float across the surface. It was as if she were in a different world. The whole castle seemed like a different world.

She stayed under water for as long as could hold her breath then resurfaced, leaning her slender back against the far end of the tub. She slide down into the water until all but her neck and above were not submerged. Her milky white breasts seemed to float on the water’s surface, the pink nipples small delicate flowers.

How long she laid there she was unsure. It was not until she heard the bedroom chamber door open that she was roused. She sat up and instinctively grabbed a towel and clutched it to her bosom. But the footsteps in the next room retreated and the door was closed once more.

Fearing she was late for dinner and would further displease her host, she quickly washed and left the tub.

Audrey hastily ran the towel over her wet body then towel dried her hair. She combed her raven colored tresses before adorning them with a few elegant hair pins she found on a littered shelf. She also made use of perfume but did not use any of the cosmetics. She hated makeup, it was too fake, not her.

Audrey hurried across the bath chamber to retrieve her clothes. Her lips creased into a deep frown. Her clothes were filthy; she could not possibly wear them to dinner tonight and may possibly never be able to wear them again. Even if she were to try to wash them by hand they would never dry in time.

Crestfallen she carried the ruined clothing into the bed chamber, prepared to slump across the bed in misery. But instead she found herself squealing in delight.

Laid out across the bed was a beautiful gown of the softest silk. Crème in color, the style resembled that of a sun dress. The garment was sleeveless, the bodice snug and drawn at the waist. The skirts flowed from the waistline in uneven layers.

Audrey dropped her dirty garments where they would fall and slipped into the gown. It fit perfectly, the longest layer of the skirts ending just below her knees. In her mind she no longer felt the spoiled child. She had been transformed into a beautiful princess. She twirled around the room, her skirts floating about her graceful form.

She halted her playful dance only when Max arrived to escort her to dinner.